42 People Killed, Over 100 Injured In Serial Bomb Attacks In Afghanistan

More than 40 people were killed and over 130 others injured in a series of suicide attacks in the south-west and north-east of Afghanistan on Tuesday.

Reports quoting police said at least 30 people were killed in five suicide attacks launched in Zaranj, a relatively peaceful capital of Nimroz province, as people were preparing to break the fast, being observed in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The bombers struck different buildings at a crowded market at dusk, increasing the casualties.

Many of the wounded are in a critical situation, raising the possibility of more deaths, reports say.

It was the worst terrorist attack in the country during Ramadan.

The Afghan forces have already taken over security responsibility of the ethnic Baluch city on far southwestern Afghanistan, bordering Pakistan and Iran, from NATO troops.

Reports quoting the Provincial Council deputy chief Nadir Khan Baluch said the police have shot dead three of the six attackers, who were part of a suicide- bomber squad, whom police were hunting since Monday night on receiving information that they were about to carry out the attacks.

Some of the infiltrators were arrested overnight.

Shortly after the attacks in Zaranj, another bomb hidden on a motorbike exploded in the north-eastern province of Kunduz. Reports quoting police said a dozen people who were set to break Ramadan fast were killed in the attack.